Premium

Rajiv Gandhi said ‘kahan phas gaya hun yaar?’ after he became PM, recalls Kabir Bedi: ‘I told him to get serious’

Kabir Bedi recalled his first conversation with former PM Rajiv Gandhi after he became the Prime Minister. The actor also recalled growing up with Rajiv and Sanjay Gandhi.

Rajiv Gandhi became the PM in 1984 after Indira Gandhi's assassination. (Photo: Express Archives)

Kabir Bedi, who appeared in Hindi films like Khoon Bhari Maang, Main Hoon Na, Dilwale, Yalgaar among many others, recently opened up about his childhood when he would often visit Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s residence as they were family friends. Kabir said that he grew up with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and his brother Sanjay Gandhi, and also recalled his first conversation with Rajiv after he became the PM.

Kabir, in a chat with Digital Commentary, recalled that the three of them started their education in the same school in Delhi where Rajiv was his senior, and Sanjay was his junior. Remembering those days, Kabir said that the PM’s residence felt like a palace to him, and compared it to Umaid Bhawan, but added that now that he thinks about it, he feels that it was “respectable.” He also recalled that there was a room in the PM’s house that had toys from all over the world, as the foreign leaders would often bring toys for young Rajiv and Sanjay.

Kabir recalled the circumstances when Rajiv first became the Prime Minister of the country in 1984 after his mother Indira was assassinated. Kabir said that he was traveling in the US when Rajiv became PM and met him as soon as he returned. He was waiting outside with many other leaders but Rajiv called him in. “I walked in and saw that huge PM office. He closed the door said ‘kahan phas gaya hu yaar (where am I stuck now)?’ I told him ‘PM ho, serious ho jao (You are the PM, get serious)’. He said ‘tum mujhe mat kaho serious ho jao. Din bhar yeh log mujhe kehte rehte hain serious ho jao. Tum mere dost ho, tum serious ki baat mat karo. Purani baatein karo, achi baatein karo, maze ki baatein karo (You don’t ask me to get serious. These people ask me to get serious all day long. You are my friend, you talk to me about old days, fun things.)”

Story continues below this ad

ALSO READ | Freedom At Midnight review: A relatable, racy-pacy account of build-up to India’s tumultuous independence

Kabir said that it was a tragedy that Rajiv was assassinated. “He was a good man. He wasn’t vengeful, he was a very clean man,” he said.

Rajiv was assassinated in 1991 at age 46.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.

Speaking at a public rally in Varanasi’s Banauli village, PM Narendra Modi underscored that India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy amid growing international uncertainty. (Express File Photo by Anil Sharma)

PM Modi gives call for Swadeshi push after Trump’s ‘dead economy’ jibe

India11 min ago

PM Modi on Saturday urged Indians to prioritise economic nationalism and self-reliance amid global economic instability. He also called for a renewed push for Swadeshi and promoting made in India goods. This comes after US President Trump's announcement of import tariffs on Indian goods. Modi sees this as an opportunity for India and urges citizens to unite for national economic advancement.

View all shorts

More Entertainment

Entertainment Coolie trailer: Rajinikanth references Kamal Haasan as he enters Lokesh Kanagaraj's violence-soaked universe, Aamir Khan and Nagarjuna in tow